Lateral Foot Pain: Causes of Pain On Outside of Foot and Treatment Tips

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.

Credit: iStock.com/mheim3011

Whether you are a runner or enjoy exploring the world on foot at a slower pace, lateral foot pain can stop you in your tracks. This type of pain frequently occurs with pain on the outside of the foot. It is usually the result of repeated impact on the area due to running, walking, jumping, and other high-impact activities. Lateral foot pain causes may also be linked to abnormal bumps on the foot and bone fractures.

The term lateral refers to the outside or outer portion of an object. Lateral foot pain can surface gradually over time, or appear suddenly with a stabbing pain. You may also feel tenderness, foot swelling, and have difficulty walking and standing.

We put a lot of physical pressure on our feet with each step. It is common to have lateral foot pain with weight bearing activities, including prolonged periods of standing. By recognizing the source of the pain and any possible accompanying symptoms, you can narrow down the cause of the affliction. It will allow you to determine the proper treatment to help you get back on your feet fast.

Lateral Foot Pain Causes

There are various internal and external factors that may cause recurring pain along the outer side of the foot.

1. Corns

You may not realize you have a corn until you experience lateral foot pain when walking. A corn can be a hard patch of dead skin cells or a patch of soft thin skin.

Corns have a bottom with a point and a raised wide top. This seed-shape allows the corn to become deeply embedded in the skin tissue. As the outer foot is one of the common places for corns, this may be the cause of your pain.

Also known as a hallux valgus, a bunion is a deformity of the bone. It causes pain on the outer foot as the joint of the big toe becomes inflamed. As a result, a red bump forms at the base of the joint on the surface of the skin, which causes the big toe to push against the next toe.

Wearing tight shoes or medical conditions such as arthritis and gout can cause bunions to form.

3. Arthritis

A leading factor of pain on the outside of the foot when walking involves the joint disorder known as arthritis. This condition comes in two different forms—rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Foot pain can have an association with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder. It causes the joint lining to become inflamed and swell, which leads to bone loss and joint abnormality.

4. Stress Fractures

Your morning jog or being physically active in sports can put you at a higher risk for stress fracture injuries that cause lateral foot pain. The pain of stress fractures can be mild in the beginning before it progressively gets worse.

These fractures commonly occur in the calcaneus or navicular bones. If a particular metatarsal bone becomes fractured from repetitive activity, it also can cause lateral foot pain.

5. Sprains

Lateral foot pain can be the result of an ankle sprain, the most common cause of this form of pain. The pain may also be accompanied with unsteadiness while walking, as well as bruising and swelling of the affected area.

An inversion sprain occurs with damage to the anterior talofibular and calcaneofibular ligaments of the outer ankle. This damage ranges from a stretch to a complete tear of the ligaments and tissues.

A sprain is a common cause of many lateral foot pain running cases. This type of sprain results in pain and the inability to bear weight on the foot, accompanied by a popping sound. Any ankle sprain puts you at risk for future sprains and ankle issues, including recurring pain.

6. Peroneal Tendonitis

Peroneal tendonitis refers to the inflammation of the peroneal tendons that are along the outside of the ankle, behind the fibula bone. When these tendons are exposed to repetitive tension by movement of the connecting bones and muscles, you will experience discomfort and pain. This tension can be the result of recurring ankle sprains, unusual foot movements or positioning, or with long distance running.

The pain is usually gradual and progresses over the months. Severe pain is worse in the mornings and may dissipate with gentle movements.

7. Cuboid Syndrome

There are seven tarsal bones, and the cuboid is one of them that can cause pain on the outside of the foot. This syndrome occurs with a dislocation of the cuboid bone from overuse and traction of the leg muscle known as peroneus longus.

Cuboid syndrome is not a common cause of lateral foot pain, but it can occur due to the presence of an inversion sprain as a result of weight bearing activities or pronation (when the foot rolls inward).

Symptoms can include swelling, tenderness, skin redness, and a radiating pain on the outside of foot near the little toe.

8. Tarsal Coalition

A rare cause of lateral foot pain is a genetic disorder known as tarsal coalition. It usually occurs due to a birth defect where the tarsal bones do not properly develop. It can also be seen with arthritis, infections, and as a result of past trauma.

You may experience leg muscle spasms, ankle or foot stiffness, leg fatigue, or limping. And, the pain is sudden and sharp.

Lateral Foot Pain Diagnosis

Lateral foot pain is diagnosed through a physical examination by assessing the severity of pain and any accompanying symptoms. The doctor will look at your medical history for any possible past sprains or fractures.

The physical examination will include checking the foot while at rest and during both non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing activities. Further diagnostic testing may include x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Lateral Foot Pain Treatment

Lateral foot pain treatment is based on the cause and severity of the pain. Medical treatment may include light therapy, electric stimulation, and over-the-counter or prescribed medications to address the pain, inflammation, and other accompanying symptoms. But, in severe cases, surgery may be required.

Home remedies and natural treatments may be done in conjunction with a medical treatment plan or on their own. If you suffer from lateral foot pain, you should try the following treatments.

Rest is one of the best remedies for most ailments, including lateral foot pain

Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the outer foot for a 20-minute treatment to ease swelling and pain

Use supporting devices such as crutches and canes when walking to alleviate pressure on the foot

Use flexibility exercises to target range of motion and movements of the affected tendons, ligaments, and muscles

Perform yoga and chi techniques.

Wear proper-fitting shoes at all times, especially when doing exercises

Use orthotics or arch supports (if needed) while doing physical activities or sports to help transfer the weight from the outside of the foot

Concentrate on any physical activity that does not require weight-bearing on the foot such as swimming and cycling

Perform acupressure to target the soft tissues by applying pressure to pressure points on the body.

Lateral foot pain may appear gradually over time or may present as a sharp, stabbing pain. Depending on the cause and severity of the pain, there may be issues with walking, standing, and putting any weight on the affected foot.

Lateral foot pain may be caused by inherited disorders or by trauma or injury to the foot or leg. Severe pain along the outer region of the foot may require medical attention while mild symptoms may be treated with home remedies and by following proper foot care.

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Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as a diagnosis, treatment, preventive, or cure for any disease, disorder, or abnormal physical state, nor should it be considered a substitute for medical care from your doctor. On any matter relating to your health or well-being—and prior to undertaking any health-related activity—consult an appropriate health professional. The opinions herein are exactly that, they are the opinions of the author. Doctors Health Press and its employees are not responsible for medically unsupervised activities that could be harmful to your health. Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***. All of the Doctors Health Press publications come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your newsletter, you can simply cancel your subscription and receive a pro-rated refund on all undelivered issues. For our books and special reports, we will give you a full refund of your purchase price within 30 days of your order. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as a diagnosis, treatment, preventive, or cure for any disease, disorder, or abnormal physical state, nor should it be considered a substitute for medical care from your doctor. On any matter relating to your health or well-being—and prior to undertaking any health-related activity—consult an appropriate health professional. The opinions herein are exactly that, they are the opinions of the author. Doctors Health Press and its employees are not responsible for medically unsupervised activities that could be harmful to your health. Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***. All of the Doctors Health Press publications come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your newsletter, you can simply cancel your subscription and receive a pro-rated refund on all undelivered issues. For our books and special reports, we will give you a full refund of your purchase price within 30 days of your order. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service.